Youth development and empowerment is the panacea to the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, according to Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, who said the twin planks are vital in human capital to enable youths escape poverty.
He made the point in Okitipupa, Ondo State when he distributed materials worth over N50 million to the people of the area, where he has implemented five empowerment programmes since 2012.
Kunlere warned that youth unemployment has reached alarming proportions.
He described the distribution as a “living witness of a new dawn of security of lives and property through support to the police, a new dawn that restores Ondo South to its pre-eminence in education excellence” across the six councils in Ondo South.
He cited the building of blocks of classrooms, restoration of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) centre, and assistance to students.
“A new dawn in the provision of potable water across towns and villages in the area, a new dawn of computer centres for schools, a new dawn in the provision of solar street lights and transformers to communities in Ondo South.”
Kunlere also listed self reliance with the provision of employment in public and private sectors, provision of dryers for hair dressers, clippers for barbers, generators, de-freezers, and grinding machines.
It is equally “a new dawn for youths who engage in motorcycle business, a new lease of life for leaders to own personal cars, and a new lease of leadership style of selfless service to the people devoid of sentiment and selfishness,” he said.